Nothing tops a day spent in the yard with loved ones and a cold drink in hand, but a decadent spread of cookout fare can only make it better. Fire up the grill and fasten your “Kiss the Cook” apron for 30 BBQ menu ideas that'll impress your guests (even picky kids). I chose them because they're timely, festive and simple enough for beginners, plus some can be prepared ahead. Think juicy watermelon skewers, spicy charred corn, a fishy twist on the almighty burger and seasonal desserts that are as delicious as they are Insta-worthy. I'll bring the beer.
30 BBQ Menu Ideas: Recipes That Will Transform Your Backyard Party
From drinks to dessert
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Published May 21, 2024
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
What to Bring to a BBQ
Of course, you should first ask the host what they need from you before you go rogue. But I'd recommend make-ahead recipes—like pasta salad, potato salad, slow cooker meat, cake, cookies, pie or deviled eggs—that you can prepare the night before the event and tote there the next day. You can also prepare a pitcher of lemonade, tea or sangria without much effort. Granitas, ice pops, sorbet and ice cream can also be made in advance and kept in the freezer before cooling everyone off.
The Drinks
1. Frozen Dirty Shirley Cocktail
- Time Commitment: 8 hours and 5 minutes (includes freezing time)
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no cook
"To make it even more refresh (and nostalgic), we turned this trendy bev into a frozen slushie," explains PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen. As long as you freeze the lemon-lime soda (or ginger ale) the night before the cookout, these cocktails will be ready in no time. Plus, you can serve a vodka-free version to the kids at the party.
3. White Sangria with Peaches and Berries
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Bring your favorite dry riesling to life with sweet peach juice and fresh summer produce. (The orange liqueur won’t hurt, either.) Swap ice in for frozen fruit so the sangria doesn’t get diluted over time, and you'll take this from a BBQ menu idea "to consider" to an annual cookout must-have.
The Appetizers
5. Yogurt Dip with a Frizzled Carrot-Herb Swirl
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Place this swirled stunner on the patio table and watch it vanish in 30 seconds flat. The key to the dip's layered flavor is infusing the oil and carrot with herbs and spices before pouring it over the yogurt. "For a thicker dip with the most pronounced swirl of oil, choose a naturally thick Greek yogurt—such as Fage—or swap in sour cream or labneh," explains PureWow food editor Taryn Pire.
6. Marinated White Bean and Tomato Salad
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
It's vegetarian, gluten free and stars peak-delicious tomatoes—what's not to love? The only "cooking" this BBQ menu idea requires is infusing oil with garlic for a few minutes; marinating the salad in the fridge does the rest of the heavy lifting.
8. Grilled Watermelon-Feta Skewers
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
We're calling it: This is the new caprese. A few char marks will put a smoky spin on everyone’s favorite summer fruit, not to mention zingy balsamic vinegar. (And in case you need help dicing the watermelon...)
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, beginner-friendly
Wings just got a crowd-friendly makeover. The best part about these bite-sized starters that can be assembled ahead? They’re way less messy than traditional drums and flats, so much so that you won't need napkins. (Well, maybe one.)
The Salads
10. Bitter Greens Salad with Herby Ranch Dressing
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, no cook, make ahead
"We love a good ol’ Caesar, but when a salad needs to have enough pizazz to cut through a rich meal, I reach for a recipe that’s more complex," admits Gillen. This assortment of sharp radicchio, Insta-worthy frisée and sweet-tart apples is sure to surprise. (And don't even get me started on the from-scratch ranch.)
11. Kristin Cavallari’s Salmon BLT Salad with Spicy Tomatillo Ranch
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly
“This salad has a few of my favorite things,” writes reality-TV-star-turned-cookbook-author Kristin Cavallari. “Salmon (which has omega-3s and is so, so good for you), bacon (no explanation needed), avocado (healthy fats) and spicy tomatillo ranch dressing (just yum).” I'd argue it's hearty enough to serve as a main dish, if you feel so inclined.
12. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
This stunning spread is loaded with salty slices of grilled halloumi, charred summer peaches and crunchy pine nuts, so expect plenty of oohs and ahhs from your guests. Make extra garlicky basil-citrus dressing to drizzle over pasta salad or sandwiches.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, make ahead, vegan
Don’t listen to your kids: A little green never hurts. In fact, they’ll find these seasoned, chilled cukes super refreshing after playing in the yard. Up the decadence factor by stirring in some sour cream.
The Entrées
14. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
Three words: Spicy Cajun butter. Line the patio table with newspaper, drench these shrimp boil-inspired skewers in the stuff then lay them out for your guests to snatch up and devour. Bye-bye, mess.
15. Crispy, Spicy Cauliflower Tacos with Jicama-Carrot Slaw
- Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, dairy free, gluten free
Barbecues tend to be a meat fest, so it's smart to have at least one vegetarian or vegan main for your plant-based friends. They'll be thrilled to nosh on this combo of smoky cauli florets, lime-kissed slaw and dairy-free cilantro crema.
16. Salmon Burgers
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Ground beef who? Salmon’s the new belle of the BBQ, and she’s bringing Old Bay, fresh dill and tangy coleslaw along with her. Save some time on the big day by assembling the patties and slaw the night before.
17. Honey-Lime Chicken and Veggies in Foil
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, high protein, special occasion-worthy
Wrap juicy chicken breasts up with your favorite seasonal produce and cook them to juicy perfection right on the grill. If you think this BBQ menu idea looks like a win now, wait until you realize this recipe only leaves you with one dirty dish to clean.
- Time Commitment: 7 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, high protein, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
This sweet-and-savory pork main is magical on its own, but I like to pile it high on a bun with lots of dressed cabbage and grilled pineapple. Use the leftovers in quesadillas for the kids (if there are any, that is).
19. Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon-Herb Sauce
- Time Commitment: 2 hours
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy
The best thing about this BBQ menu idea (well, besides the zippy marinade and lemon-mustard sauce)? You can kick back with a cocktail and some chitchat for a whole hour while the steak marinates. Win-win.
The Side Dishes
- Time Commitment: 6 hours and 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, slow cooker recipe
With so much action going on in the backyard, it'll be a relief to let the Crockpot take care of a dish or two indoors. Be sure to soak the navy beans overnight before transferring them to the slow cooker.
21. Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, make ahead
Is there anything cauliflower can't do? Spuds get the boot in this riff on a picnic classic, but it's just as creamy as the standard thanks to Greek yogurt, sour cream and Dijon mustard. (If you prefer potatoes, try this ranch potato salad on for size.)
22. Jalapeño-Avocado Mac and Cheese
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, vegetarian
Ripe, buttery avocados and spicy green chiles are impeccable matches for ooey-gooey white cheddar sauce. Add sweet corn kernels to this BBQ menu idea for some seasonal flair, breadcrumbs for crunch or hot sauce for more heat.
23. Grilled Corn with Spicy Aioli
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
As far as BBQ menu ideas go, this summer staple is a no brainer, especially when you dress it up with sriracha aioli instead of drenching it in salt and butter. Add lime juice, queso fresco and chili powder for an elote-inspired take.
24. Baked Avocados with Fresh Salsa
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
Baked avocado is a thing—a rich, creamy, beautiful thing. Pile them high with in-season cherry tomatoes and corn kernels, plus salty queso fresco crumbles. (Feta or goat cheese work, too.)
The Desserts
- Time Commitment: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly
If you're seeking a showstopping dessert, look no further. "The striking pink topping is just a dusting freeze-dried raspberries that have been powdered in a food processor," explains Gillen. "You can find them at grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or online, but it’s an optional touch. A smattering of fresh berries or a touch of lemon zest would be equally delicious and elegant."
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
"It's a make-ahead wonder that can be cooked on a campfire and tastes like a spoonful of summertime," raves Gillen. Simply nestle the packets atop a hot grill or a bed of coals and let it bubble away for 20 minutes. You'll be left with an impressive treat (that'll be begging for a scoop of vanilla ice cream) and minimal mess.
27. 3-Ingredient Blood Orange Granita
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus freezing time)
- Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, vegan, crowd-pleaser
There are few things as refreshing as a frosty spoonful of shaved ice. Add the citrusy masterpiece to a glass of Champagne to squeeze in an early nightcap (or two). You can also substitute cara cara orange, lemon or lime juice if you'd prefer.
28. Lemon-Berry Sheet Pan Trifle
- Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly
Homemade meringue makes this shareable sweet a standout BBQ menu idea. Your kids can help make the whipped topping, toss the fruit in lemon juice and sugar or assemble the trifle.
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Warning: These are as irresistible as they look. The secret to this unexpected pick’s cream filling? A whole lot of whipped corn kernels. (Just trust the process, OK?)
30. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, make ahead, no bake
You’ll never be too old to dunk a graham cracker (or spoon) into this nostalgic dip. Serve the BBQ menu idea alongside a simple s’mores station and you’ll officially be the hostess with the mostest.
